UK Clinical Pharmacy Association

Cinacalcet

Issues for surgery

Potential increase in parathyroid hormone and calcium levels if omitted.

Advice in the perioperative period

Elective and emergency surgery 

Continue.
Consider checking calcium levels pre-operatively – cases of QT-interval prolongation secondary to hypocalcaemia have been reported in patients taking cinacalcet. 

For patients who may decide to quit smoking during the perioperative period see Further information.

Post-operative advice

Restart post-operatively as soon as next dose is due.

Interactions with common anaesthetic agents

None.

Interactions with other common medicines used in the perioperative period

Analgesia


Codeine 

Cinacalcet is a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6 which is involved in the conversion of codeine to morphine. It is predicted that the efficacy of codeine might be reduced or abolished by cinacalcet – monitor efficacy of codeine or consider alternative analagesia. 

Tramadol

Cinacalcet is a potent inhibitor of CYP2D6; it is predicted to increase the exposure to tramadol, but to reduce the exposure to its active metabolite (which is responsible for its analgesic effect); tramadol adverse effects are therefore increased but not its analgesic effect. The clinical significance of this interaction is unknown. Bear the possibility of an interaction in mind should a patient taking both medicines develop an increase in tramadol adverse effects.

Macrolides

Cinacalcet is partly metabolised by CYP3A4 therefore clarithromycin (a strong inhibitor of CYP3A4) is predicted to moderately increase the exposure to cinacalcet. Parathyroid hormone and serum calcium levels should be monitored more frequently as dose adjustment may be necessary. Weaker inhibitors of CYP3A4 (e.g. erythromycin) would be unlikely to cause clinically relevant increases in cinacalcet exposure.

Further information

Smoking cessation

Tobacco is known to induce CYP1A2 which is partly involved in the metabolism of cinacalcet. Quitting smoking pre-operatively improves surgical outcomes through reducing risk of post-operative complications. If a patient decides to quit smoking during the perioperative period, it must be remembered that smoking cessation can reduce cinacalcet clearance. Monitor parathyroid hormone and calcium levels closely as dosage adjustments are likely to be necessary.

References

Summary of Product Characteristics – Mimpara®(cinacalcet) 30mg Film-coated Tablets. Amgen Ltd. Accessed via www.medicines.org.uk 03/02/2021 [date of revision of the text January 2020]

Joint Formulary Committee. British National Formulary (online) London: BMJ Group and Pharmaceutical Press. http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 3rd February 2021]

Baxter K, Preston CL (eds), Stockley’s Drug Interactions (online) London: Pharmaceutical Press. http://www.medicinescomplete.com [Accessed on 3rd February 2021]

Faculty of Public Health, The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, The Royal College of Anaesthetists, ash (action on smoking and health). Joint Briefing: Smoking and surgery. April 2016. Available at www.rcoa.ac.uk [Accessed on 3rd February 2021]